RALEIGH, N.C. — Former House Speaker Jim Black asked a federal judge Thursday to recommend alcohol treatment for him while serving his upcoming prison sentence for accepting $25,000 in cash from chiropractors.

Black, 72, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, was sentenced last week to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to one corruption-related count in February.

In a court filing asking that Black serve his sentence at a federal prison in Butner, attorneys for Black wrote their client "would also ask the court to recommend alcohol treatment" while he is incarcerated.

Under the 1994 Violent Crime Control Act, non-violent federal inmates who complete a substance abuse program while incarcerated are eligible to have up to a year taken off their sentence.

Earlier this week, Black's attorneys asked that Black be allowed to begin serving his 63-month sentence no sooner than Sept. 10. Black is supposed to report to prison July 30.

U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle hadn't ruled on either request Thursday.

Before sentencing, Boyle ordered Black to abstain from alcohol. No reason was given at the time.

In the fraud trial of former lottery commissioner Kevin Geddings last fall, Black testified that he never had more than a couple of drinks at a time.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons determines where inmates are placed, so even if Boyle approves Black's request to serve his sentence at Butner, he might be assigned to another prison.

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richard2Jul 21, 2007

Why is this man not in jail?

Joy4u2Jul 20, 2007

yes I say Black is a drunk you can tell by looking at someone for 1 his nose is red all the time that is a dead give away and his face too and its not from embrassement. But he's still no better than a thug done the crime now do the time.

ShaggerJul 20, 2007

It appears that Jim Black is trying to shorten his sentence by saying that he needs alcohol treatment. That was never addressed in his trial. He will say or do anything to shorten his sentence. Why can't he go to REAL prison?

RedfoxxncJul 19, 2007

Well,my last comment was not approved, apparently. So, the "man" is watching these posts. Black should not be awarded any special treatment. Why not be treated like any other federal common criminal and be sent 5 states away? Isn't it part of the punishment that your family not be at your disposal? Butner is "club fed" and should be reserved for those who are ending their sentence, not beginning it. Send him to FCI Jesup w/ Geddings, unless Geddings is actually at the camp on the compound, which I am sure he is.

weasleyesJul 19, 2007

I talked to a guy who has been in FCI, and he says that Black is stalling because they may not have an opening at the "camp," which is minimum security and is trying to avoid medium security. Minimum has many more privileges.

educgradJul 19, 2007

He did the crime and is trying to get out of serving the time, hopefully he won't be successful.